Method and apparatus for matrix magnetic separation

Abstract

A method and mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid containing magnetic and non-magnetic material, passing the fluid through matrix containing canisters wherein the canisters are carried on a turret which moves axially and rotatably. In four quadrilaterally arranged locations, two canisters are supported in a separation position within coils until they are filled and then are moved axially and rotationally to cleansing stations while cleansed canisters are rotated and moved axially up into the separation stations. A distribution head connects to the turret for delivery of magnetic material containing fluid and cleansing fluid.

We claim as our invention: 
     
       1. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid stream containing magnetic magnetizable and non-magnetizable particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in a magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix, comprising the steps: positionting a first conister having an axis with a matrix being loaded in a first position within a magnetic coil;   positioning a second canister with an unloaded matrix in a second position with an axis parallel to the axis of the first canister;   said conisters positioned equidistant from a central axis;   introducing a magnetic material containing fluid from one end and withdrawing the fluid from the same end of the first canister;   moving the first canister axially out of the coil out of the first position and thereafter moving the canister in a rotary motion to a location beneath the second position and thereafter axially into the second position; and   simultaneously moving the second cansiter axially out of the second position and thereafter rotationally and then axially into the first position, said canisters moving axially parallel to said central axis and rotating about said central axis.   
     
     
       2. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid stream containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in the magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix in accordance with the steps of claim 1: wherein the first and second canisters are moved between said first and second positions about the same axis of rotation being said central axis.   
     
     
       3. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid stream containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in the magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix in accordance with the steps of claim 1: wherein the fluid stream first flows into the canister in the first location in the region of the coil axis and counterflows outwardly of the coil axis.   
     
     
       4. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid stream containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in the magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix in accordance with the steps of claim 1: wherein the fluid is passed through the canister in multiple paths in the direction of magnetic field moving concentrically from the axis of the canister toward the outside thereof.   
     
     
       5. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid stream containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in the magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix in accordance with the steps of claim 1: including means for directing a wash fluid flow through the canister in said second position.   
     
     
       6. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid stream containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in the magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix in accordance with the steps of claim 1: wherein cleaning of the matrix of the canister is performed in a plurality of positions including said second position.   
     
     
       7. The method of magnetic separation wherein a fluid containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles is passed through a matrix-filled canister positioned in the magnetic coil and a canister with a matrix loaded with magnetic material is replaced with a canister having an unloaded matrix in accordance with the steps of claim 1: wherein the fluid stream of magnetic material is successively passed through regions in the canister in the first position with the canister having regions of differing matrix.   
     
     
       8. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containing canister, comprising in combination: a coil generating a magnetic field about a first position located radially of a central axis   a support means movable rotationally and axially relative to said central axis having a first position for a matrix containing canister in said first position for separating magnetic material;   means for delivering and removing magnetic material containing fluid axially into and ut of the same end of the canister in said first position;   a second position for a replacement canister on said support means; and   means moving said support means axially and then rotationally relative to said central axis to carry the first canister out of the first position and into the second position and the second canister out of the second position into the first position.   
     
     
       9. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containing canister in accordance with the structure of claim 8: wherein the support moving means is in the form of a rotational turret rotatable about said central axis.   
     
     
       10. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containing canister in accordance with the structure of claim 8: wherein a fluid distributor head is positioned stationarily to distribute fluid to each of said first and second canisters in the first position.   
     
     
       11. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containing canister in accordance with the structure of claim 8: wherein the coil includes a super-conductive magnet.   
     
     
       12. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containijg canister in accordance with the structure of claim 8: wherein the interior of the canister has means defining a plurality of chambers for providing a suspension flow in the magnetic field.   
     
     
       13. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containing canister in accordance with the structure of claim 8: 
     
     
       wherein each canister has means defining a plurality of concentric chambers arranged for successive reversal of axial flow through the canister. 
     
     
       13. A mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid thrgh a matrix containing canister in accordance with the structure of claim 8: wherein each canister has means defining a plurality of concentric chambers arranged for successive reveral of axial flow through the canister.   
     
     
       14. A mechanism for themagnetic separation of material form a fluid carrying magnetic and non-magnetic material passing the fluid through a matrix containing canister, comprising in combination: a rotary turret supported on a central axis having quadrilaterally arranged support positions thereon relative to said central axis, two of said positons providing first separation locations diametrically opposed and the two remaining positons providing diametrically opposed cleaning locations;   lines carried by the turret connecting to the locations;   magnetic field generating coils at the separation locations;   a fluid conducting stationary head communicating with the turret to dirct magnetic material containing fluid to the canisters at the separation location and washing fluid to the canisters at the cleaning location;   a vertical operative piston and cylinder connected to the turret to move the canister axially relative to said central axis out of the separation location and to move a cleansed cansiter into the separation location;   means driving the turret in rotation about said central axis to change the position of the canisters after they have been moved axially; and   fluid supply lines leading to the head for the turret.